Behave Karl, Behave
Something tells me Jules is not a big fan of either Laurie David or Sheryl Crow. Have to say, quite a funny post.
Cassandra, of Right Wing News isn’t exactly a fan of the two ladies either it seems.
I won’t explain what exactly happened (according to David and Crow that is): Joe did a marvelous job at that. One thing though, Crow told Rove that she and David are “the American people”. That is factually incorrect. They are not THE American people. They are people who are Americans. They are part of the American people. But they are not THE American people.
Quite simple.
I also agree with the commenter “pennywit” who wrote in the comment section of Joe’s post: “the impression I get from this is not that Rove threw a tantrum, but rather that David and Crow approached Rove with the intent to provoke him into a reaction, and they weren’t going to be satisfied until they got one. What I see here is that these two got precisely the reaction they wanted and now sit astride their high horse tut-tutting about Rove’s tantrum.”
That does not mean that Rove could not have behaved a bit more, umh, decent (which is, I thought a Southern value, seemingly not anymore), but that this story is getting all this attention is, frankly, a bit ludicrous.
Soundbites, soundbites, it’s all about moneysoundbites.
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18 Responses to “Behave Karl, Behave”
Wow that is a major leap…Where did you divine that? Have you and pennywit become mind readers?
“the impression I get”
Ahh, no mind reading necessary then.
“They are not the American people? Another stupid argument from the right.
Well since the business bastards have taken over the lobby, what venue other than direct engagment through activists do the “American people” have for “Redress of Government”?
Very little I suspect. Just as the business bastards want it.
Your assessment is not simple. It is simple minded. Whenever an individual American, be it Laurie David or Sheryl Crow or anyone else asks a question of a civil servant, the individual becomes, at that moment, THE American People. You are asking questions, not just for yourself, but for millions of Americans who have the same question but not the opportunity to ask.
And what’s wrong with trying to provoke a reaction from Rove? I consider a forthright confrontation a much more honorable attempt at “provoking” a reaction than approaching him with a bagful of money, which is the only way it seems to get any kind of a reaction from DC insiders.
So, the dirtbag had a tense moment when actually confronted with unhappy American constituents. I guess he’s insulated from the harsh realities of public opinion the rest of the time. Good for Crow and David!
I think that Mr. Rove could have easily handled this situation if he wanted to, but he didn’t want to do so.
For example, a person in his position could say, “Thank you for chatting with me, I have to get going now.” When she grabbed his arm he could joke, “Please, I’m married,” and walk away.
I am certain that in these divided times Mr. Rove was expressing what was in his heart when he said that these women wanted to provoke him and they did. He wanted to provoke and be provoked. It is good divide and conquer politics to have your allies wringing their hands. It is devastating to what America really is and wants to be, but it is good fund-raising politics.
It is better for him to have conservatives and their echo chamber writing about this brave act by the Presidential Adviser standing up t the Vandals at the Gates of Rome than to explain why Mr. Rove was apparently allowed to make the Attorney General’s decisions for him.
Both sides get something, a claim to some superior status, but our real political issues and problems get shoved (as they too often do) on the back burner.
One more point, while it is true that Mr. Rove does not exclusively work for these women, he, as all people in government do work for us as an aggregate.
Maybe in the “definition of ‘is’ is” sort of world.
The truth is that Crow & co. represent the concerns of the majority of Americans, who among other things believe that:
1) The United States government should do more to protect the environment
2) The United States should sign the Kyoto Treaty
3) Global warming is a real phenomenon
No, remember, it’s “pseudoscience.” Jules IS funny, Michael, but not for the reason you seem to think.
Still, Rove came off better than Wolfowitz did in ’03.
Franken: “Clinton’s military did pretty well in Iraq, huh”
Wolfowitz: “Fuck you.”
I’m reminded of how obnoxious Karl was before the 2006 election: “You’re entitled to your numbers, I have the numbers”. No impressions need on this one, he acted like an ass in that interview.
Oh yeah, and he was dead wrong. Imagine that.
So, Crow grabbed his arm-when you think of all the harm that little rat has done to our country, a petty offense like that pales in comparison. She should have kicked his a$$ instead.
Jeeze…all problems solve…just kick Carl’s booty……what a simpleton.
What Kritter and her ilk really mean is that when Republicans are harassed, beaten, threatened, and killed, it’s ‘reasonable political discourse.’ When But when Dems are so much as looked upon cross-eyed, it’s despicable illegal behavior that should be punished with jail terms and (though she’d never admit it) preferably torture.
But it’s great proof that the so-called ‘reality-based community’ isn’t so much reality-based as totalitarian-minded. Kritter, please feel free to let me know the name of your favorite restaurant so that I can have the fun of getting in your face of your political stances, and maybe even pound your plate of tofu casserole into your face for good measure.
Exactly.
BTW, I don’t dislike most or all Republicans, but Rove needs someone to get in his face- its long overdue. And I doubt anyone would be interested in waylaying me on the way to dinner with their opinions- as I’m not a public figure and have no influence on policy.
“What Kritter and her ilk really mean is that when Republicans are harassed, beaten, threatened, and killed, it’s ‘reasonable political discourse.’”
WTF kind of drivel is this for the supposed manly man party’s backers to spew???? Sounds like we got wimps infecting the GOP, afraid they might get talked to by someone not on board with their ideas so they turn it into “he was harassed”….pardon my Freedom language (GOP for French)….you guys are sounding like pussies.
Now you just gotta tell me about the “beaten, threatened, and killed” part of this crapola you spew because thats the normal reaction of those on the right when someone dares to speak up. Timothy McVeigh ring a bell? Oops sorry that’s domestic terrorism, far beyond what you mentioned.
No mind-reading needed. I have a younger sibling. I recognize the behavior.
–|PW|–
The version I read said she touched his arm, not grabbed it. His response was to object to being touched. Also, the comment about being the American people was a response to Rove’s comment to them where he said he worked for the American people, not them. Well, I do believe they are citizens which does mean that they are “the American people”.
qdpsteve- Sorry that this is a little late, but I wanted to make sure and thank you for telling me what I really meant by my comment. I guess my words did not express my opinion by themselves- I needed a total stranger who supports the opposite ideology to interpret them to others for me. As Jim S said- she touched his arm- that is not being “harrassed, beaten, threatened or killed.” But hey-any hyperbole is justified to make a point right?
What I really should have said is this- Now I’m not a fan of Alec Baldwin’s parenting style and I believe he belongs in anger management. But, I will quote him nevertheless as the comparison is apt. Rove was behaving “like a rude little pig.”